Community Happenings Feb. 15

Friday

Feb 14, 2014 at 12:01 AMFeb 14, 2014 at 10:39 AM

All area codes are 850 unless noted.

Needlework exhibit

The Sand Dunes Chapter of Embroiderers' Guild of America will have a showing of members' needlework projects, “Needle Arts in the Atrium III,” from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 15 and 1-4 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Meridian at Westwood Retirement Resort, 1001 Marwalt Drive in Fort Walton Beach. Admission is free and refreshments will be served from 2-4 p.m. Feb. 16.

SERRV Market

The Presbyterian Women of Fort Walton Beach’s First Presbyterian Church will host its 13th SERRV International Craft Market, with handmade items from many countries for sale, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 16, 23; and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 15, 19, and 22 in the Fellowship Hall, 134 Beal Parkway, SW. Call 243-3732.

Destin Bridal Expo

Enjoy a fun time with your bridesmaids and friends with vendors, door prizes, grand prizes, fashion shows and more at the Destin Bridal Expo at 1 p.m. Feb. 16 at Seascape Resort. Entry is $10 or $7/early registration at www.bridesjustwannahavefun.com.

Financial Matters Seminar

Mainstay Financial Group will present a free seminar, “Healthcare Costs – Planning for Bumps in the Road with Long-term Care,” at 10 a.m. Feb. 17 in the Family Birth Place conference room at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast. To register for this free seminar, call 278-3600 or visit www.sacredheartemerald.org.

Open house

Northwest Florida State College will host a Community Open House on the college's main campus in Niceville from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 17. Featured will be free activities, seminars, demonstrations, art exhibits and more. An opening reception will be held at 10 a.m. in the courtyard at the east end of the Student Services Center.

OCREC candidate forum

The Republican Party of Okaloosa Countywill host a Destin city council candidate forum at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 19 at the Destin City Hall, 4100 Indian Bayou Trail. Doors open at 5 p.m. submit questions to destinforum@cox.net.

Affordable Care Act 101

The League of Women Voters of Okaloosa County hosts the Panhandle's official patient navigator, Kara Bryant of Families Count, and Kelly James from Florida Blue Cross/Blue Shield from 5:30-7 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Brooks-Beal Center, 100 Beal Parkway SW in Fort Walton Beach, to discuss how implementation is going in our community, explain the types of policies available and help you enroll on the spot. The meeting is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

Spring Craft Show

The City of Destin’s Seventh Annual Spring Craft Show will be held from 12-6 p.m. Feb. 21 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Community Center. Admission is free. Vendors call 654-5184 to reserve space.

WAM

The fourth annual WAM Conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Costa Leadership Institute at NWFSC in Niceville. The conference offers breakout workshops on organizing your finances, making your money work for you, credit repair, insurance, entrepreneurship and more. This free conference includes all workshops, keynote address, breakfast and lunch. Free childcare will be provided on-site. To reserve childcare, call 243-1201. Register at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/4th-annual-wam-conference-tickets-10009910913.

Environmental class

The Prime Time Program at NWFSC’s new class, Environmental Education, will offer lessons in a variety of outdoor activities. Participate in fishing on the Gulf Coast and learn about boat safety and GPS systems, and hunting skills and techniques.

Mayor Sam Seevers will give the 2014 State of the City Address at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 25 at City Hall Annex, 4100 Indian Bayou Trail in Destin. Refreshments will be served.

Seminar

Margaret R. McDowell, firm founder of Arbor Wealth Management, LLC, a “fee-only” registered investment advisory firm, will present a seminar at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Feb. 26 in the Arbor Wealth Conference Room. Call 608-6121 to reserve seating. Refreshments will be served. Arbor Wealth’s income and growth strategies are most appropriate for investors with $500,000 or more of investable assets.

EDC roundtable

In recognition of the Economic Development Council’s 25th anniversary, the organization is launching a multi-part roundtable series focusing on key drivers in the Okaloosa County economy. The 2014 kick-off event will be held from 7:30-9:30 a.m. Feb. 26 at the Ramada Plaza Beach Resort on Okaloosa Island. Attendees must register prior to event for $25,which includes breakfast buffet, at http://www.florida-edc.org/news/events.aspx, caroline@florida-edc.org or 362-6467.

Business seminars

Small business seminars and individual consulting or Hispanic entrepreneurs for free take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 27 and 28 at the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce. Event includes one-on-one consulting meetings and business seminars. Topics covered include licenses and permits, state regulations, financing options, and business development services offered by HBIF. The seminars will be presented in Spanish, and consulting will be available in both English and Spanish. Call 1-866-525-4243, 226-7066 or email myabrudy@hbifflorida.org to participate.

Income Tax Help

Volunteers from AARP will provide free individual federal tax assistance by appointment only from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays through April 10 at the Destin Library. Call 837-8572 to make appointment.

Pamper Me

Let local businesses pamper you with food, seminars, massages and door prizes when the Friends of the Niceville Public Library host their annual Pamper Me event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 1 at the Niceville Community Center for ages 12 and up. Admission is $3. Call 279-4863, ext. 1504.

The Junior League of the Emerald Coast’s sixth annual Spring Market will be held April 26 and 27 at the Emerald Coast Convention Center on Okaloosa Island and will feature vendors from around the country selling unique gifts and quality merchandise. To become a sponsor or a vendor, email JLECMarket@yahoo.com. Call 862-2665.

Destin Library

The following events are held regularly at the Destin Library. Call 837-8572.

• Tai Chi: 9-10 a.m. Mondays. Cost is $5/class. Register by phone at 837-8572 or in person at the Library.

• Independent Film Series: Independent and foreign films shown at 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month.

• Friends of the Destin Library: Monthly meeting held at 10 a.m. the second Friday of each month.

Destin Community Center

All activities are at the Destin Community Center, unless noted. Call 654-5184 for information and to register. Persons with disabilities who require assistance are asked to notify the center 48 hours in advance.

• Adult Open Gym: Monday from 5:30-8:30 p.m. for 17 and up to play full-court pickup basketball games. Destin residents are free and non-residents are $2.

• Brazilian Martial Arts: A Capoeira class that combines the elements of dance, acrobatics and music from 7-9 p.m. Thursday.

• Pickleball: All levels, including first timers, welcome. Beginner lessons available from 12-1 p.m. Mondays and 11 a.m. to noon Wednesdays and Fridays. Intermediate and advance open play from 1-3 p.m. Mondays and 12-3 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays. Cost is $2/resident and $3/non-resident.

• Spring 17+ Basketball League: The City of Destin’s Spring 17+ Basketball League begins Feb. 20. Games will be played on Thursday nights at 6:30, 7:30, and 8:30 p.m. Team sponsorship fee is $275. Individual registration fees are $20/residents and $30/non- residents.